We were lucky to catch up with Dan Policar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I think the only way to earn a full time living from creative work is literally to not be able to do anything else.

You have to diversify within the scope of the work that you’re doing. I work as a creative performing music for world tours and high end private events(weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs). I also work as a composer making music for artists that you’ve heard of like Sean Paul, Fabolous, Raekwon and others. Additionally I have colleagues that are video game developers and I have composed score for their games. You have to be able to deliver quality work in a very short amount of time.

I think these are some of the best traits that go toward making an actual livable wage in music.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a grammy nominated keyboard player originally from Seattle, but living in NYC. I spend most of my time making music that I want to share with others and hope they will love the music as well. Currently I have spent over a decade touring with dancehall superstar Sean Paul, from stadiums and festivals to television shows from Tamron Hall and Jimmy Fallon. I am currently working on my own music which I plan to launch/release sometime this year under a new pseudonym, which has yet to be announced. Additionally I have worked with artists like Ellie Goulding, J Balvin, Fabolous and many more. I am signed to a music publisher based in LA called DSRPT Global, run by my mentor and incredible creative/exec DJ NaviiDavii. I have also brought members of my creative team are with me there including, Jaki Nelson, Gloria Glow, Sam Rivers and John Walton.

I am grateful to have had a career that has kept the lights on and I look forward to expanding this in 2024. I hope my story serves as inspiration for others. I am driven both by being inspired by other creatives and inspiring creatives.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the best way to support artists is to purchase their products or services. In the case of music, its purchasing their merch, going to their shows and to a lesser degree, streaming their music, watching their music videos. For a creative like me its important to have commissioned work always coming in, ideally to the point I can help hire other creatives to assist with the workload.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Its not that I wish I knew about the resources, its more that they didnt exist. Things like social media, streaming platforms(DSP’s), digital DIY distribution for folks wanting to release their own music without the assistance of a label/distributor. My advice is take advantage of all of these resources. Social media has made it possible to connect with people that was never possible before. Use that to your advantage, and contact people. I have made some great contacts via Instagram, Clubhouse, Facebook, and Twitter/X.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: danthebandnyc

Image Credits
Bampson photograpy